The Infallibility of Imam
THE MORAL VIRTUES OF IMAM
The Imam must be endowed with moral virtues such as boldness, bravery, chastity, generosity, and justice, because whosoever is ma’sum and free from sin will strictly follow and practise religious laws and since the possession of praiseworthy ethics is essential for religion, the Imam must surpass all the other people in moral virtues, for it makes no sense for a man to lead those who are better and superior than him in virtues. Surely, Allah’s justice is not in conformity with such an idea.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF IMAM
Since an Imam is the guardian of religion and the leader of the inhabitants of the world, he must have a thorough knowledge of all matters concerning this world and the Hereafter, namely, the matters related to man’s prosperity. Since having an ignorant person as a leader is not rationally permissible and is meaningless from the viewpoint of general divine guidance.
THE FOURTEEN MA’SUMIN
The Holy Prophet (SA), his honourable daughter, Fatimah al-Zahra’ (AS), and the twelve infallible Imams are called the “Fourteen Ma’sumin. The first five from among the fourteen Ma’sumin, namely, the Holy Prophet (SA), ‘Ali (AS), Fatimah (As), al-Imam al-Hasan (AS) and al-Imam al-Husayn (AS) are called “Ahlal-‘Aba” and “Ashab al-Kisa'” (the family and companions gathered under the sheet of cloth). They are called Ashab al-Kisa’ because one day the Holy Prophet (SA) covered himself with a sheet of cloth, gathered these four members under it, and prayed to Allah. The Almighty Allah revealed the following Qur’anic verse of taharah in their honour: “Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanliness from you, O Ahl al-Bayt, and to keep you tahir – a (thorough) taharah (33:33)”.
THE GUIDING IMAMS (AS)
The guiding Imams (AS) who are the successors of the Holy Prophet (SA) and the leaders of people of the world and the Islam are twelve in number.
THE NAMES OF THE INFALLIBLE IMAMS (AS)
1. Al-‘Imam ‘Ali (AS) (Aimir al-Mu’minin)
2. Al-‘Imam al-Hasan (AS) (Al-Mujtaba)
3. Al-‘Imam al-Husayn (AS) (Sayyid al-Shuhada’)
4. Al-‘Imam ‘Ali (AS) (al-Sajjad)
5. Al-‘Imam Muhammad (AS) (Al-Baqir)
6. Al-‘Imam Ja’far (AS) (Al-Sadiq)
7. Al-‘Imam Musa (AS) (Al-Kazim)
8. Al-‘Imam ‘Ali (AS) (Al-Rida)
9. Al-‘Imam Muhammad (AS) (Al-Taqi)
10. Al-‘Imam ‘Ali (AS) (Al-Naqi)
11. Al-‘Imam al-Hasan (AS) (Al-‘Askari)
12. Al-‘Imam Muhammad (AS) (Al-Mahdi), al-Hujjat ibn al-Hasan).
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The Infallibility of Imam The Infallibility of Imam The Infallibility of Imam The Infallibility of Imam
